A Flash of Lightning in the Dark of Night

Book

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Descriptionངོ་སྤྲོད།

Compassion is the guiding principle of the bodhisattvas, those who vow to attain enlightenment in order to liberate all sentient beings from the suffering and confusion of imperfect existence. To this end, they must renounce all self-centered goals and consider only the well-being of others. The bodhisattvas' enemies are the ego, passion, and hatred; their weapons are generosity, patience, perseverance, and wisdom.
In Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is considered to be a living embodiment of this spiritual ideal. His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama presents here a detailed manual of practical philosophy, based on The Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicaryāvatāra), a well-known text of Mahayana Buddhism written by Shantideva. The Dalai Lama explains and amplifies the text, alluding throughout to the experience of daily life and showing how anyone can develop bodhicitta, the wish for perfect enlightenment for the sake of others. This book will surely become a standard manual for all those who wish to make the bodhisattva ideal a living experience. (Source: back cover)

Citation

Dalai Lama, 14th. A Flash of Lightning in the Dark of Night: A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life. Translated by the Padmakara Translation Group. Boston: Shambhala Publications, 1994.

Texts Translated

Śāntideva (zhi ba lha). Bodhicaryāvatāra (Byang chub sems dpa'i spyod pa la 'jug pa). In Derge Tengyur D3871, dbu ma, vol. 105, la 1b1–40a7. See rKTs etexts, Columbia AIBS, ACIP etexts,

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Partial translation of

Bodhicaryāvatāra

An "Introduction to Bodhisattva Practice," the Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra is a poem about the path of a bodhisattva, in ten chapters, written by the Indian Buddhist Śāntideva (fl. c. 685–763). One of the masterpieces of world literature, it is a core text of Mahāyāna Buddhism and continues to be taught, studied, and commented upon in many languages and by many traditions around the world. The main subject of the text is bodhicitta, the altruistic aspiration for enlightenment, and the path and practices of the bodhisattva, the six perfections (pāramitās). The text forms the basis of many contemporary discussions of Buddhist ethics and philosophy.

Text

Other editions

For the Benefit of All Beings

The 14th Dalai Lama presents detailed practical guidance based on sections of The Way of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva.

Book

The Bodhisattva Guide

The 14th Dalai Lama presents detailed practical guidance based on sections of The Way of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva. Previously published as For the Benefit of All Beings.

Book

Teaching based on

Bodhicaryāvatāra

An "Introduction to Bodhisattva Practice," the Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra is a poem about the path of a bodhisattva, in ten chapters, written by the Indian Buddhist Śāntideva (fl. c. 685–763). One of the masterpieces of world literature, it is a core text of Mahāyāna Buddhism and continues to be taught, studied, and commented upon in many languages and by many traditions around the world. The main subject of the text is bodhicitta, the altruistic aspiration for enlightenment, and the path and practices of the bodhisattva, the six perfections (pāramitās). The text forms the basis of many contemporary discussions of Buddhist ethics and philosophy.

Text

- Forewordvii
- Acknowledgmentsix
- Translators' Notexi
- Introduction: The Way of the Bodhisattva
1. The Benefits of Bodhichitta9
2. Offering and Purification20
3. Embracing Bodhichitta30
4. Carefulness35
5. Attentiveness40
6. Patience52
7. Endeavor75
8. Meditative Concentration88
9. Wisdom114
10. Dedication124
- Notes127
- Glossary131
- Bibliography137
- Index139